White House condemns Hamas over rocket attacks into Israel

The White House on Thursday condemned Hamas over the barrage of rocket fire from Gaza into Israel, as violence between the two sides escalated. Press Secretary Jay Carney said there is "no justification" for the violence perpetrated by Hamas and other terrorist organizations.

"We call on those responsible to stop these cowardly acts immediately in order to allow the situation to de-escalate," Carney said. "Hamas claims to have the best interest of the Palestinian people at heart. Yet it continues to engage in violence that is counterproductive to the Palestinian cause. Attacking Israel on a near daily basis does nothing to help Palestinians in Gaza or to move the Palestinian people closer to achieving self determination." (continue reading...)